The Guardian view on the Huntingdon train stabbings: an immigration-fixated right is failing the public | Editorial

A train stabbings incident occurred in Cambridgeshire where an individual attacked passengers. The train driver, Andrew Johnson, was praised for his quick thinking in diverting the train to Huntingdon, preventing a potentially worse disaster. Five of the ten injured passengers have been discharged, and the suspect, Anthony Williams, was arrested at the scene and has appeared in court. The article criticizes some rightwing politicians and commentators for using the incident to fuel fear and prejudice. Specifically, it highlights the actions of Chris Philp and Ben Habib, who suggested police should have released identity details sooner and speculated it was a terrorist attack, respectively. The article argues that such remarks undermine the police and contribute to a climate of suspicion, especially since initial police statements about two black British nationals being detained led to one being released with no connection to the attack. The editorial draws parallels to previous high-profile stabbings in Nottingham and Southport, noting that these were not terrorist attacks but involved issues with mental health and public services. It suggests that understanding the Huntingdon incident will also likely involve examining the perpetrator's interactions with public services. The article emphasizes the need for i... download the app to read more